Meet Your New Australian Reviewer

yaReaders, it’s time to meet your new reviewer. Katie McDonald is currently settling in here at yaReads and warming up her reviewer’s seat within the Australian division of the site. Some of you may already know Katie from the forum, but for those of you who don’t post over there, we decided to do a quick introductory Q&A with Katie for your reading pleasure.

Tell us a little about yourself

I’m Kaite, and for anyone who is a part of or lurks through the forms, you can find me on there as KatieQ. I live in sunny Queensland, Australia, and even though we are so close to the beach, it’s not my favourite place to be! I love the snow, winter being my favourite season, and along with this, love rainy and stormy weather. I’m currently a university student, studying to become a Drama and English senior high-school teacher. A few years left, but it’s going well. With that, I’m a trained actor and musician, being involved in anything arts-like that I can get my hands on.

What is your fave YA book?

I’ve got a couple, and it’s more favourite series then books. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead, The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare and Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling. All these books I can pick up and read again and again, without getting bored. The writing and characters are amazing, which is something I look for when reading a book. There are so many others out there, that it would take an age for me to list them all.

Who is your fave YA couple?

Again, a tie between a few. Rose and Dimitri from Vampire Academy, Jace and Clary from The Mortal Instruments. Also Valek and Yelena from The Study Series by Maria V. Snyder also deserve a mention. Rose and Dimitri – they are just amazing. Something has to go right for them in the future, or I will find you Richelle… (Just kidding!) Jace and Clary – Jace is just one of those guys you fall in love with. He is amazing, and completly deserves Clary.

What is your fave YA genre?

Fantasy, urban fantasy, science-fiction and paranormal are probably my favourite. It’s the alternate universe that has completly different rules to ours that I find fascinating. Along with that, the fact that it is completly possible for magical and fantasical events to occur. It’s something that I find appealing, and who hasn’t wanted to be able to cast a spell?

Can you tell us what kind of music you’re interested in?

Music is a massive part of my life. I’m a trained vocal singer, trained violinist and self-taught piano and guitar, so it makes up a lot of what I do. Musical soundtracks, from movies, musicals or instrumental scores are amazing. I listen to a lot of different music, alternate, pop, rock, practically anything expect hip-hop. Regina Spektor, Karen Jacobsen and Taylor Swift are some of my favourite artists, just to name a few.

What are your fave movies?

Anyone from the forum would know that one of my biggest obsessions is Ben Barnes. So nearly any movie with him in it, I would probably like. Prince Caspian, Easy Viture and Dorian Gray for instance, are some of my favourite Ben movies. Apart from that, The Lord of the Rings would be at the top of my list. The best adaption from a book that I have seen yet. Other notable higlights are Harry Potter, Hairspray and Pirates of the Caribbean.